Fukushima Nuclear Crisis Update for August 23rd-25th, 2011

Here’s the latest news from the ongoing crisis at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

State of Nuclear Politics in Japan

As expected, Prime Minister Naoto Kan resigned today, after Japan's Diet passed a bill on renewable energy, which requires power companies to buy all power generated by wind and solar. Prices will be determined by a third-party government entity.

Industry Minister Banri Kaieda, who announced in July that he would resign over confusion about restarting nuclear reactors (but then changed his mind), has once again announced he will step down, as Kan requested.

The pool for the DPJ leadership election continues to grow, but several candidates have risen to the top as front runners: Seiji Maehara, former Foreign Minister; Yoshihiko Noda, current Finance Minister; Banri Kaieda, Industry Minister who is currently overseeing the nuclear crisis; and Sumio Mabuchi, former Transport Minister, who supports reducing Japan's reliance on nuclear power.

The House of Representatives passed a bill making the government responsible for removal of nuclear waste. The bill stipulates that Japan can hold TEPCO liable for disposal costs.

A study conducted by the National Institute for Environmental Studies showed that 22% of radioactive cesium-137 dispersed by the explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, as well as 13% of iodine-131, has settled in a widespread area over eastern Japan.

Japan lifted the ban on cattle shipments from Miyagi, Fukushima, Iwate, and Togichi Prefectures this week. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said that radiation testing would be conducted on all cattle in the region to ensure continued safety.

I don't understand why powering a home or workplace must result in the poisoning of all life on the planet. This,in my opinion is the inevitable result of the use of nuclear powerplants and coal-fired also.It isn't complicated.It's the same old short term gains for a few in power (literally) as opposed to the long term health and future well-being of the planet's animals and plants. To me the current situation is very bad and we would be tragically complicit to not oppose these crude and destructive methods of power generation ie. nuclear and coal. So let us utilize alternatives solar and wind among others. And remember nuclear power is fine as long as its 93 million miles away. Even then it can burn your skin(sunburn). So its time to go ahead and we will!